Don’t Get Cleaned out at the Dry Cleaners

If you’re like me, you’d much rather spend money on a good Cabernet than on cleaning your clothes. The unfortunate truth is, many of today’s hardworking professionals are frequenting their friendly neighborhood dry cleaner much more than they need to.

Fortunately, with the right knowledge, you can save a few bucks at the cleaners so they’re not cleaning out your wallet. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years when it comes to dry cleaning that just might help you upgrade from that boxed wine (which is actually quite good, too).

Read the labels carefully. Unless it says DRY CLEAN ONLY, it may not necessarily need to be dry cleaned

Apply makeup, fragrance and deodorant five minutes before you dress to minimize staining the fabric

Hang clothes to air out for a short time before putting them back in the closet. A quick spray of Febreze can freshen your clothes and keep them smelling nice if they are not soiled. Be careful not to spray too close to avoid spotting.

At-home dry cleaning kits are readily available and are a great alternative to taking an unwanted drive for clothes that are lightly soiled or just need refreshing. As a matter of fact, these low priced kits can help save up to 80% of dry cleaning costs! Some fabrics and clothing pieces can also be hand washed with Woolite or put in the washer on a gentle cycle.

At some point, a trip to the cleaners will be necessary, but a little crafty couponing can also save you some money. If you are a loyal customer, ask if there are any current promotions or discounts you can take advantage of. Many dry cleaners promote themselves in ValuPak bundles or through local newspapers, so it can be good to wait until there’s a special and bring a whole bunch of clothes at once.

KQK Pro tip: ask if you can receive a future discount if you return the hangers as the rising cost of those hangers is generally pushed directly on to the consumer.